The Resident Evil series has spent decades moving between survival horror and action.

Resident Evil Requiem brings both sides of the franchise together.

Developed and published by Capcom, the game launched on February 27, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. Capcom officially identifies it as a survival horror title and the ninth mainline entry in the series.

The game also brings back one of the franchise's most recognizable characters, Leon S. Kennedy, while introducing a new protagonist, FBI analyst Grace Ashcroft.

The result is an experience that deliberately switches between tense survival horror and more action-focused gameplay.

🏚️ The Story: Returning to Raccoon City

Resident Evil Requiem takes place in the aftermath of the Raccoon City disaster.

The ruins of the city once again become a major part of the story, connecting the new game directly to one of the most important events in Resident Evil history.

The story follows Grace Ashcroft, an FBI criminal analyst investigating a mysterious case involving deaths connected to the survivors of the original Raccoon City incident.

Her investigation eventually brings her to the same area where her mother was killed.

Grace's investigation also leads her to Leon S. Kennedy, creating a story that connects the franchise's modern characters with its earliest history.

👩 Grace Ashcroft

Grace is the game's new protagonist.

Unlike many of the series' experienced combat veterans, Grace begins her journey as an FBI analyst rather than a highly trained monster hunter.

That difference is important to the game's design.

Her sections emphasize:

• Stealth
• Limited resources
• Exploration
• Environmental puzzles
• Avoiding enemies
• Survival rather than direct confrontation

Grace's gameplay is designed to create a feeling of vulnerability.

Instead of immediately reaching for a powerful weapon, players are often encouraged to think carefully about whether an enemy is actually worth fighting.

🔫 Leon S. Kennedy Returns

The second major playable character is Leon S. Kennedy.

Leon has been one of the most important characters in the franchise since Resident Evil 2.

His return provides a dramatic contrast to Grace.

While Grace's sections focus heavily on survival horror, Leon's gameplay is much more action-oriented.

Players can expect:

• More powerful weapons
• Aggressive combat
• Melee attacks
• Larger enemy encounters
• More cinematic action sequences

This creates two very different gameplay experiences within the same campaign.

🎮 Dual-Protagonist Gameplay

One of Requiem's biggest design ideas is the contrast between its two protagonists.

Grace = Survival Horror

Grace's gameplay focuses on tension and vulnerability.

Players may need to hide, conserve ammunition, explore carefully, and decide when escaping is better than fighting.

Leon = Action Horror

Leon is far more capable in combat.

His sections allow the game to embrace the action-heavy style that became increasingly important to the franchise following Resident Evil 4.

The result is a campaign that constantly switches between two different interpretations of horror.

👁️ First-Person and Third-Person Perspectives

Capcom also gives players considerable control over how they experience the game.

Resident Evil Requiem supports both first-person and third-person perspectives.

The default presentation emphasizes the contrast between the characters, with Grace's sections leaning toward first-person horror and Leon's sections using a third-person action perspective. Players can also change the perspective to suit their preference.

First Person

Best suited for:

• Immersion
• Close-up horror
• Environmental exploration
• Feeling vulnerable

Third Person

Best suited for:

• Combat
• Character movement
• Situational awareness
• Action sequences

This system gives players more freedom than previous entries that locked protagonists into a single perspective.

🧟 The Horror Design

Requiem attempts to combine several different eras of Resident Evil.

The game contains elements inspired by the franchise's survival-horror roots while also incorporating the more action-focused gameplay associated with later entries.

That means players can encounter situations where:

Ammunition is scarce → enemies are dangerous → hiding becomes the best option

and later find themselves in:

Large combat encounter → powerful weapons → aggressive enemies → cinematic action

The contrast is one of the game's defining characteristics.

🏙️ The Return of Raccoon City

Raccoon City is more than just a nostalgic location.

The destroyed city provides the game's central connection to the original Resident Evil storyline.

The ruins allow Capcom to revisit locations and themes associated with the original outbreak while introducing a new generation of characters.

The game therefore functions as both a new story and a continuation of the franchise's long-running mythology.

⚙️ Powered by the RE Engine

Resident Evil Requiem uses Capcom's RE Engine, the technology that has powered many of the company's recent Resident Evil games.

The engine allows Capcom to create highly detailed environments, character models, lighting, and visual effects while supporting the game's different gameplay perspectives.

The game was built for modern hardware, including:

• PlayStation 5
• Xbox Series X|S
• Nintendo Switch 2
• PC

Capcom officially confirms all four platforms.

📸 Photo Mode Arrives

One of the game's biggest post-launch quality-of-life additions arrived on March 27, 2026.

Capcom released an update adding Photo Mode to all platforms.

Players can access Photo Mode through the pause menu.

The feature allows players to manipulate the camera and create custom shots using options including:

• Camera positioning
• Zoom
• Focus
• Character poses
• Facial expressions
• Filters
• Frames
• Stickers
• Visual effects

The update also included various bug fixes and adjustments to character expressions in certain cutscenes.

🛠️ Post-Launch Support

Capcom has continued supporting Resident Evil Requiem after launch.

The March update was not simply cosmetic. Alongside Photo Mode, it addressed gameplay issues, including a bug that could prevent progression under certain circumstances.

The game subsequently received additional updates, demonstrating that Capcom intends to continue improving the experience after launch.

🎮 Resident Evil Requiem Platforms

Capcom's official product information confirms the game's February 27, 2026 release across these platforms.

📊 Resident Evil Requiem at a Glance

🧭 How Resident Evil Requiem Fits Into the Series

The game is designed to connect several eras of Resident Evil.

Classic Resident Evil

The return to Raccoon City's ruins connects the story to the franchise's original outbreak.

Resident Evil 7 & Village

Grace's survival-horror sections continue the series' modern emphasis on vulnerability and first-person horror.

Resident Evil 4 & Later Entries

Leon's combat sections embrace the more action-heavy direction that became a major part of the franchise.

This combination allows Requiem to function as both a continuation and a celebration of the series' history.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Grace vs. Leon

The contrast between the two characters is one of the defining features of Resident Evil Requiem.

📅 Resident Evil Requiem Timeline

February 27, 2026

Resident Evil Requiem launches worldwide for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC.

March 27, 2026

Capcom releases an update adding Photo Mode and multiple gameplay fixes.

2026

Capcom continues supporting the game through post-launch updates.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What is Resident Evil Requiem?

Resident Evil Requiem is the ninth mainline installment in Capcom's Resident Evil survival-horror franchise.

When was Resident Evil Requiem released?

It released on February 27, 2026.

Who are the main characters?

The two playable protagonists are Grace Ashcroft and Leon S. Kennedy.

Does Leon appear in Resident Evil Requiem?

Yes. Leon is one of the game's two playable protagonists.

Is Resident Evil Requiem set in Raccoon City?

Yes. The game returns to the ruins of Raccoon City and connects its story to the original disaster.

Can you play in first person?

Yes. The game supports first-person gameplay.

Can you play in third person?

Yes. Third-person gameplay is also available.

Does Resident Evil Requiem have Photo Mode?

Yes. Capcom added Photo Mode in the March 27, 2026 update.

What platforms is Resident Evil Requiem on?

The game is available on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC.

🏁 The Bottom Line

Resident Evil Requiem represents one of Capcom's most ambitious attempts to bring the different identities of Resident Evil together.

Grace provides the vulnerability and tension associated with survival horror.

Leon brings the confidence and firepower of the franchise's action era.

And connecting both characters to the ruins of Raccoon City gives the story a direct link to the series' origins.

With multiple perspectives, modern RE Engine technology, a dual-protagonist structure, and continued post-launch support, Resident Evil Requiem establishes itself as a major chapter in the franchise's evolution.

The March Photo Mode update also shows that Capcom is continuing to refine the game beyond launch.

For longtime fans, it is a return to familiar territory.

For newcomers, it is an entry point into one of gaming's most recognizable survival-horror universes.

Raccoon City is back. And the nightmare isn't over.